So, I've taken some time away from Goodreads, and I think I've figured out how to balance using this platform with my desire for privacy. While I'm not going to go back to posting everything (or even most of the things) that I read, I will occasionally post reviews of books that I particularly enjoy, that I want more people to know about, or that have conversations circling them that I want to be a part of.

Queens of Geek is not without its flaws, and I'll start by acknowledging that I would have appreciated a stronger plot. Three friends--one a famous YouTuber, one a prominent member of her fandom online, and the other, well, a regular dude--travel from Australia to the States for SupaCon, a huge fan convention. The story centers on their experiences there, as they struggle with relationship woes and participate in contests and do all the stuff you do at cons. (One assumes. I have never attended one... yet.) Interesting, but it doesn't achieve nail-biting levels of suspense.

But I still loved this book. I can deal happily with a simple, calm, or even weak plot if a book has great characters, and characterization is where Queens of Geek shines. Taylor and Charlie, the dual narrators, felt realistic, and I loved their voices.

And can we talk about the representation? Taylor is a fat, autistic girl with social anxiety. Charlie is an Asian-Australian bi girl. Their identities are inextricable from their experiences, and Wilde handles their identities and the way they inform their lives so well.

Both girls have adventures and find love and enjoy their lives, all while struggling on occasion, supporting each other, and refusing to repress or sacrifice who they are. And that made Queens of Geek the ultimate comfort reading for me, the best little escape from the garbage fire aspects of the world.

So, if you want a hopeful, reassuring YA novel steeped in geek culture, read this book.

P.S. This cover inexplicably makes me super hungry. Why? Am I subconsciously reminded of cupcake frosting or something?